The Picks of the Season 2023

The sailing season ended months ago, and the snowy winter started very early. The summer was actually the tenth summer we sailed Sarastus on Saimaa, so it could therefore be considered a kind of special season.

Weather

In terms of weather, the season was pretty unique. It was chilly in May, which delayed the first launch. In June the weather conditions significantly improved but unfortunately we had almost every weekend booked up for other activities. In July, the summer holiday started but the weather became volatile which again reduced the desire to head to the lake. By August, however, the weather improved again offering better sailing conditions but obviously the start of work and other commitments again took their toll. The best sailing weather was experienced during the trip to Värrätsaari in mid-July. That’s when the wind-temperature balance was close to ideal.

The Best Destination

On Saimaa we visited many fine islands, two of which had a sauna by the fresh water. Although they are great destinations in their own way, this year for us inland sailors Kaunissaari was the most exotic destination, although the visit was quite short due to a tight schedule.

The Best Water

During the season, we only visited two waters: Saimaa and The Gulf of Finland. Of these two, I choose Saimaa again this year because its fresh waters and sandy beaches provide a great environment for swimming. There is also a wide variety of destinations and waterways close to the slipways.

The Best Experience

One of the best experiences was rounding Liittokivi in moderate breeze. It made you feel like you had achieved a goal you had had in mind for years, and on the other hand, you got to see that mysterious rocky with your own eyes.

The Most Challenging Conditions

Usually the most demanding weather is when it is too windy. This season, it was often the opposite. During the trip to Kaunissaari the wind was pretty light for most of the journey which was a bit frustrating, and the situation was not helped by the rain that started at the end of the trip.

The Best New Gear

I did not invest in anything new for the boat this year again. Sailing dinghies is an inexpensive hobby that the most significant expense is usually mainly the fuel for the towing vehicle. Using the saunas on the islands also has to be paid for, though.

The Most Useful New Skill

The Kaunissaari trip was the first time we landed in a harbour other than a natural harbour, which may sound surprising after ten years of sailing. It gave us some experience of local practices, although the process was almost fully automated.

Looking Forward

As I write this, the winter solstice is already behind us, which means the days are gradually getting longer. This, in turn, will soon be followed by melting of the ice and warming of the water. Let’s hope the weather is better in the next season than in the last one, as many new adventures are already being outlined.